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Hundreds Protest in Paris to Support Afghans; Biden: Terrorists May Seek to Exploit Kabul Situation; Cheney and Kinzinger Blame Biden and Trump for Crisis; Air Base in Germany Filling Up Fast, More Arrivals Expected Monday; U.S. Vice President Harris Meets in Singapore with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Unvaccinated Patients Filling Up Kenyan Hospitals; Chile Hopes to Turn Tide of Covid Cases with Booster Shots; French Football Fans Invade the Pitch. Aired 4:30- 5a ET

Aired August 23, 2021 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:30:00]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: In Paris, activists are demanding Western nations do more to support Afghans who are now living under Taliban rule. Hundreds of people gathered for an Afghan Lives Matter protest on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron says the country is working to evacuate French nationals and Afghans who worked with Western groups. But protesters worry there is not enough being done for the people left behind and want Western leaders to offer more help to those who are resisting the Taliban.

The U.S. national security advisor is warning the threat of ISIS in Afghanistan is real and should be taken seriously. Those comments from Jake Sullivan come amid the urgent push to accelerate evacuations of Americans and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul. CNN's Kylie Atwood has more from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: President Biden made clear just how dangerous the situation on the ground in Afghanistan is as the United States is trying to evacuate as many people as they can from the country. He said that ISIS-K which is a terrorist group in the country, may seek to exploit the situation at the Kabul airport where all those evacuation flights are taking off. He also made it clear that ISIS-K is a sworn enemy of the Taliban.

Of course, that is significant because the United States is working with the Taliban right now to try and create safe passage. To get those Americans and Afghans safely to the airport. Although, that is not a perfect agreement, that is something that the United States is focused on. They are in touch with the Taliban. ISIS-K, of course, a sworn enemy of the Taliban.

The other thing that President Biden made clear is that the United States is working on efforts to try and get Americans to safety and get them into the airport. If these Americans are in Kabul, are in Afghanistan, trying to figure out how they can safely get to the airport for their flights out of the country. Now we know late last week that the Pentagon, the U.S. military sent a

helicopter to a hotel close to the Kabul airport to get out more than 160 Americans and bring them to the airport. So, it's clear that the military, the Biden administration is working on ways to creatively get the Americans out of the country.

Now this comes, of course, as the situation is evolving. As there are more threats to come. And when it comes to the timeline for how long the U.S. will have a presence in Afghanistan, will have a U.S. military presence at the airport in Kabul, President Biden said that U.S. military officials are discussing the possibility of extending the self-imposed August 31st deadline. But he also said that he hopes that they'll be able to get everything done before then.

Kylie Atwood, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Well, two U.S. House Republicans with ties to the Afghan war are blaming the Trump administration and the Biden White House for the crisis. Air Force veteran Adam Kinzinger flew missions during the war and the conflict started almost 20 years ago under the watch of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Congresswoman Liz Cheney's father. Here is what they're saying about the U.S. withdrawal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL): Let's keep in mind Mike Pompeo met with the Taliban as Donald Trump was publicly saying we have to get out of Afghanistan at all costs. It's not worth it. Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and tries to negotiate something. By the way, end up getting rolled harder than ever.

[04:35:00]

Almost as bad as Neville Chamberlain, because they knew the desired out of the Trump administration was. So, they set this up to fail but always, of course, Joe Biden could have easily turned this around and instead used it as an excuse to get out. Both parties have failed the American people. And it can't continue and it particularly can't continue with just pointing fingers while America's embarrassed in front of the world.

REP. LIZ CHENEY (R-WY): What we're watching in Afghanistan is what happens when America withdrawals from the world. So everybody who has been saying America needs to withdrawal, America needs retreat, we're getting a devastating, catastrophic real time lesson in what that means.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Meanwhile, a veteran U.S. army officer who works on getting allies out of Afghanistan says he's disappointed with the U.S. withdrawal and he's praising Americans for coming together to help get Afghans who worked with the U.S. to safety. Here was Major Matt Zeller on Sunday. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJOR MATT ZELLER, AFGHANISTAN WAR VETERAN: I'm sorry to feel a little bit of hope and pride because I see the best in the American people rising to the occasion to try to solve this. We must be clear, our leadership did not get right but the people who are now trying to execute the impossible at the 11th hour are heroes. There are people in government that are working around the clock to try to save these people. There are veterans all over the world who have united in a sort of digital Dunkirk that are just -- it's incredible to see us falling back into our skill sets and, you know, organizing ourselves by the various different jobs we did in the military to try and figure out, OK, you know, who knows logistics best? Who knows intelligence best? To try to help people figure how to navigate Taliban check points in real time.

That to me, you know, this is a big thing about the huge question mark in all of this. The thing that gives us most anxiety is, we still haven't heard the President of the United States say the one words we need him to. Which is that we're going to stay until mission complete. They keep talking about this end date and the Taliban having a say at that. We can't let that happen. If we leave these people behind, the Taliban are going to kill them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Some state leaders are also calling on President Biden to do more for those Afghans trying to flee Taliban rule. On Sunday, New Jersey's governor posted an open letter to the U.S. president saying his state is prepared to accept refugees and urging the White House to speed up visas for Afghan allies.

Writing: These brave individuals and families, many of whom, worked to assist our military or put their own lives on the line for support of human rights and American initiatives must not be left behind.

Well, the heartbreaking images we've seen of Afghans trying to flee the country have laid bare the desperation so many are feeling. But amid the chaos and despair, there also have been some small moments of joy. CNN's Atika Shubert shares one such story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An image of hope amid the chaos. A baby girl born in the cargo bay of a U.S. Air Force C-17 carrying Afghan evacuees. As the plane landed, Ramstein Air Base the 86th medical group rushed in to safely deliver her.

Ramstein Air Base in Germany has become the latest hub for evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. CNN filmed as some of the first flights arrived. More than 6,000 have been evacuated here with 17 flights landing in 24 hours, air base officials say, and more to come.

Here there is safety, basic shelter, food, and water. But it is only a temporary measure. Many here do not know where they will go next or how. But for the moment, there is relief and reason to celebrate new life.

SHUBERT: But the capacity of the air base is 7,500, and even though flights are not coming in on Sunday evening, they are expected to continue Monday morning. So it is filling up fast. And it's still not clear where evacuees will go to next.

Atika Shubert, CNN Ramstein Air Base, in Germany.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And to find out how you can help Afghan refugees or if you're a veteran troubled by events in Afghanistan, just go to CNN.com/impact for assistance.

Well, a busy day in Singapore for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. She and the Prime Minister held bilateral talks that touched on security, climate, economics, and the coronavirus pandemic. The trip was planned before the current crisis in Afghanistan erupted, but the situation there was also discussed. Harris is now set to meet with American service-members at naval base and tour the USS Tulsa. Journalist Manisha Tank is in Singapore. She joins us now live., Great to see you, Manisha. So, what is the latest on this U.S. vice presidential visit in Singapore? And of course, what is expected to come out of this?

[04:40:00]

MANISHA TANK, JOURNALIST: Well, it's been a warm welcome for Vice President Kamala Harris here, Rosemary. There have been fist bumps. There's been an orchid named after her. All giving you an idea of the soft side of events like this. But it's very significant to have the Vice President in town. This is a very senior ranking U.S. official to come here. In that sense, a very strong message to the region, and not just Singapore and that is that enduring partnership with the U.S. is very much still on and is here to stay.

In fact, during a press conference that followed those bilateral talks, the Vice President Kamala Harris using that word endearing more than once. More than three times, I can tell you, and talking about reaffirming the ties and reenforcing them, as well, they have in the region with Singapore, in particular.

But as you've indicated, she was drawn on questions over Afghanistan. At least three journalists really focusing essentially asking the same question three times over, which was to try and get her opinion of the way that things went there. This, however, is how she responded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAMALA HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There will be and should be a robust analysis of what has happened. But right now there's no question our focus has to be on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who worked with us, and vulnerable Afghans, including women and children.

(END VIDEO CLIP) TANK (on camera): Vice President Kamala Harris speaking earlier there. And I think it's worth mentioning that she comes to the region against a backdrop of the pandemic. In fact, she mentioned how it's a new era. It is a new era in we're dealing with the climate crisis, where we're dealing with cybersecurity, and we are dealing not just with the pandemic but the potential of further pandemics. And therefore, the United States and Singapore talking in those bilateral negotiations about cooperation on pandemic prevention in the future.

Also, cooperation on sustainable finance -- where the climate crisis is concerned. So an important measures there. But something else that she talked about that was certainly on the agenda was around semiconductors. Now this is something that has hamstrung -- and this is chip technology of course -- which have hamstrung a number of U.S. businesses. Even leading to U.S. car factories being shut down. And it's clearly a very important issue for the U.S. It's also a very strategic issue for the U.S. in terms of where the companies are based that produce those semiconductors. She talked about supply chains and making sure we can guarantee their efficiency and flow.

So many different issues on the agenda. You mentioned, Rosemary, that she's going to Changi Naval Base happening this afternoon here in Singapore. The USS Tulsa is currently in port.

CHURCH: All right, thank you so much Manisha Tank joining us live from Singapore, appreciate it.

And still to come on CNN, how a growing number of unvaccinated COVID patients are filling up hospitals in Kenya and overrunning the country's health care system. We're back in just a moment.

[04:45:00]

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CHURCH: A look now at the COVID situation around the world. Australia's state of New South Wales has reported another 818 new cases. A slight drop from Sunday's record daily high. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says the strict COVID lockdown measures will come to an end once Australia's vaccination rate hits 70 percent.

Well, New Zealand is extending its nationwide lockdown through Friday. It comes after the country reported 35 new local cases today. The most in one day since April of last year.

Meanwhile, China's National Health Commission reported no new local cases on Monday. The first time that's happened in over a month.

And in East Africa, a surge in COVID cases is getting the attention of vaccine hesitant Kenyans as hospitals and morgues are being pushed to the limits.

Well, CNN's Scott McLean is monitoring the story from Nairobi. He joins us now live. Good to see you, Scott. So, what's behind the vaccine hesitancy in Kenya and are surges in cases, hospitalizations and deaths changing attitudes about the vaccine? SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kenya is not only (INAUDIBLE).

CHURCH: All right. We're clearly having some issues there connecting with Scott. We'll leave him for now. But just ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, some ugly scenes in France as football fans invaded the pitch during a match. Details on what happened in our minute in sports.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: 70 percent of Chile's population is fully vaccinated, but now authorities are rolling out booster shots for some older citizens who received the vaccine developed by Chinese company Sinovac. It's part of efforts to turn back a new tide of COVID cases in the country. Our Rafael Romo has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR (voice-over): While some people refuse to get vaccinated, this man in Chile lost his temper when a nurse told them, he was not yet eligible to get inoculated. It was only 8:00 in the morning but lines outside this vaccination center in Santiago, the capital, were already long.

The Chilean government had just announced the third dose was now available for some. The new vaccination campaign started earlier this month for those 86 and older. Those who are ready got two doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine are eligible for an AstraZeneca booster shot and people with weak immune systems or chronic diseases can get Pfizer/BioNTech.

I showed up early to seek my third dose because I'm 86 years old, this man said. We just have to be a little smart and show up. It would be ridiculous to say no to this opportunity, this woman said.

President Sebastian Pinera said his government expects 2 million Chileans 55 years and older will get the third dose in the next four weeks and younger people will start to have access gradually starting in September. At the same time, the president made a passionate plea to the estimated 1.8 million who have yet to get vaccinated.

I would like to tell them once and for all, the president said, how can you be so stubborn and not understand that not getting vaccinated puts not only yourself but others at risk.

Chile was supposed to be Latin America's bright spot in the fight against COVID-19. Only months after the pandemic was declared, it managed to acquire vaccines from companies like Sinovac and Pfizer/BioNTech.

ROMO: This head start gave many Chileans a sense of safety given the rapid pace of vaccinations. But after Christmas gatherings and New Year's festivities, a sustained push to reopen all schools and shopping malls, and less than desired levels of effectiveness of the Sinovac vaccine, the country was hit by a new wave of infections early this year.

ROMO (voice-over): Things have since gotten better in the country of 19 million. More than 12.7 million people are already fully vaccinated. And just over 100,000 have received the third dose.

It's like going back to the beginning, this nurse says. We have to redouble our efforts but our personnel is trained to inoculate the patients.

The Chilean health minister, who several months ago apologized for what he called, mistakes that probably caused pain for many families, announced in mid-August a 82 percent decrease in COVID-19 admissions to ICU units. However, he warned we must remember that we have not yet defeated the pandemic and that we need to keep on fighting against it.

Rafael Romo, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[04:55:00]

CHURCH: Football fans in France invade the pitch during a match and one Major League Baseball star joined an elite club of hitters. Patrick Snell has our minute in sports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Thanks, Rosemary. Well, we do begin in France and that Nice, Marseille match abounded Sunday with under 50 minutes left to play. Dimitri Payet struck by a bottle. He then throws a bottle back into the crowd and those fans than surging forward on to the pitch. A massive brawl between players, fans, coaches and staff. Nice's players did come back out to try to finish the match but Marseille's did not. French media reporting injuries to three Marseille players.

Cristiano Ronaldo not in the event of starting lineup for the game at Udinese Sunday. The Portuguese superstar on as a sub, powering home the header and stoppage time with the score two all, but the VAI deemed it to be off side. Frustrations for CR-7.

Meantime, Swedish golfer Anna Nordqvist celebrating a famous weekend victory at the Women's Open. The 34-year-old keeping her cool on the very last hole to seal her third major title at Carnoustie Sunday.

And Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera hitting career homerun number 500. Cabrera the 28th player to join the 500 club and the first to do so since Danny Ortiz did it back in 2015. And with that, Rosemary, it's right back to you this Monday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Thank you so much, Patrick, appreciate it.

And thank you for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. Be sure to connect with me on Twitter @rosemaryCNN. "EARLY START" is up next. You're watching CNN, have yourselves a wonderful day.

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